Montauk best: Excellent
End-of-the-island fishing village with surf and lighthouse.
Vitamin D in New York: best months for sun and a travel guide
The best months for vitamin D in New York are June to September. In June, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 7 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 9.2 usable sun hours a day. For a beach stay it is too cool from October to May.
New York month by month
New York is rated at its median coastal place, for skin type III at age 30. Click a month for the details.
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Full dose, age 65 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Too cold | 0.7 h | 2.2 | – | – | 5°C | 12/30 |
| February | Too cold | 3.5 h | 3.4 | 16 min | 29 min | 7°C | 6/30 |
| March | Too cold | 5.2 h | 4.4 | 12 min | 23 min | 8°C | 8/30 |
| April | Too cold | 6.4 h | 5.5 | 10 min | 18 min | 17°C | 6/30 |
| May | Too cold | 7.3 h | 6.5 | 8 min | 15 min | 22°C | 8/30 |
| June | Excellent | 9.2 h | 7.6 | 7 min | 13 min | 29°C | 5/30 |
| July | Excellent | 8.7 h | 7.3 | 7 min | 14 min | 31°C | 6/30 |
| August | Good | 7.7 h | 6.6 | 8 min | 15 min | 25°C | 7/30 |
| September | Good | 5.7 h | 5.0 | 11 min | 20 min | 25°C | 4/30 |
| October | Too cold | 5.0 h | 4.3 | 12 min | 23 min | 19°C | 1/30 |
| November | Too cold | 2.5 h | 2.9 | 18 min | 34 min | 12°C | 6/30 |
| December | Too cold | 0.3 h | 2.1 | – | – | 6°C | 13/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
Travel guide: why go to New York
Why go
New York has Long Island beaches, Montauk's surf and city beaches for a quick escape, along with the big city itself.
Best for
City-break travellers, families and surfers.
What to expect
A short summer beach season from late June to early September, cool seas early on, and traffic on Friday and Sunday. The city is hot and humid in July.
Places in New York
Each place has its own climate, so its best months can differ from the country as a whole.
East Hampton best: Excellent
Wealthy seaside town of galleries and long beaches.
Fire Island best: Excellent
Largely car-free barrier island with quiet beaches and ferries.
Coney Island best: Excellent
Classic amusement park, boardwalk and subway access.
Jones Beach State Park best: Excellent
Huge state beach with a boardwalk and shows.
New York City best: Excellent
The great metropolis of museums, food and shows.
Questions about vitamin D in New York
When is the best time to visit New York for vitamin D?
The best months for vitamin D in New York are June to September. In June, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 7 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 9.2 usable sun hours a day.
Can you get vitamin D from the sun in New York in December?
Not really. In December the sun in New York is too low or too weak to make useful vitamin D, and afternoons are cool. Plan your sun for other months.
How long do I need in the sun in New York?
In June, the best month, about 7 minutes at midday with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III at age 30; about 13 minutes at age 65. Darker skin needs longer and fair skin burns sooner, so keep sessions short. This is an estimate for planning, not medical advice.
Which months should I avoid in New York?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is too cool from October to May.
What is the best place in New York for vitamin D?
In June the strongest sun of the places we rate is around Montauk. Each place has its own rating, so open the place list to compare them.
Plan by month
- Jan Too cold
- Feb Too cold
- Mar Too cold
- Apr Too cold
- May Too cold
- Jun Excellent
- Jul Excellent
- Aug Good
- Sep Good
- Oct Too cold
- Nov Too cold
- Dec Too cold